Horse-hitching device.



J. E. PLATO. EoEsE EITGEING DEVICE.-

I APPLICATION' IILED-JNE 21, 1905.

PATBNTED JUNE 19, 1906.

ill l ne l lIl riNrrED sfrn'rns i?AfriNrY cierren.

JOHN B. PLATO, OF DENVER, COLORADO.

HORSE-l-ll-TCHING..DEVISE.

Specification of LettersPatent.

Patented June 19, 1906-.

-vApplication filed June 21,1905. Serial No.. 266,277.

a device which will .be automatic and posi- I tive in its action on the reins, whether the horse is advancing or backing; to apply: one member of the hitching -dev-icefixedly to Y the wheel so as-to revolve therewith and ,suspend the ,other member .of the device from the axle in such manner as that it can be brought A into coacting relation with the` wheel member ofthe device by the driver g to construct the wheel member of the `device in 1 the shape of an annular rim having ,peripheral or circumferential teeth .of a ratchet;

shape .to coact with similar teeth on a wheel applied to a cross rod .orshaft .and having the annular rim to .coa'c-t also with :a 4segment or wing having an eccentric periphery withv ratchet-shaped teeth thereon and "loosely y mounted von the cross rod or shaft; to fur;-y

`n-ish .a frictional contact betweenthe wheel on the .cross-rod yand the segment or wing by frictional engagement with the adjacentf wheel by means of a collar .on the shaft and a g which the rotation yof the wheel will carry around the segment .or wing into position for `the teeth thereon to engage the teeth vof, the f wheel-rim to force the segment or wing into spring between :the colla-rand the segment Ior which is movable and carries the ,bearingfor the cross rodorshaft yand furnishes a connec- 'tionfor a draw-rod .and spring by means golf which thegw-heel on the cross rod or shaft has its `-raftchet-teet'h brought into engagement.

with the ratchetsteeth on .the rimattached to the wheel-,spokes for .revolvingwthe cross yrod lor shaft direct from .the traveler-revolving of the wheel of the wagon or other vehicle; to

fiXedly mount va drum on the cross {rod-orshaft, `which drum'is under spring tension, so

that the turning'of the drum to wind xthe lines will apply tension to the spring, and-With vtht Areleaseofthe winding power for the drum the normal position and release the draw on the reins 5n to connect the drum with the cross' rod or shaft by an end plate,y a bar set into the peripheryof the drum, anda band slidable .on'the drum and fixedly retaining one end of the bar engagement with thedrum,

the bar of the :drum having connected thereto a .chain or other iiexible vconnection for attachment to the reins, .and to improve generally the construction :and :arrangement ,of the several elements which I enter into Vthe formation of the horse-hitchng device :aS :a whole.

The invention consists the `features v'of construction and combination Ofparts hereinafter described and claimed.

1 tensionv of the spring will return the kdrum to Y ln the drawings, Figure l'is .a :Side .el-evai tion, partly in sect-ion, ofthe hitch'ing device of the invention Fig. 2 fan end .eleva-tion, partly in section, showing the 4supporting- -arm of one of the brackets with .a downward projection g Fig. 3, asimilar view to Fig.' 2, showing the supporting -arm of one .of the brackets with an upward projection; Fig. 4, a face view of the rim on thewheel and the ratchet-wheel von the ycross rod .or shaft, showing the two in engagement ffo-r revolving the drum and winding the chain or flexible connection onto the kdrum :to :draw the reins or pull-back strap tau-t; lFig. 5, asimilar view .to Fig. 4, showing the eccentric wing orpsegment in .engagement with ythe rim .attached to the wheel for releasing the rim lof-the wheel from its engagement with the ratchet-wheel of the cross-rodto allow'tihe .drum to reversely` revolve land relieve the draw on the reins or .pullzback strap; and Fig. 6, va jface view of the :plate or ,disk for yconnecting one .end of the windingdrum with t'he .cross-rod.

A completewheeliisnot shown, as the device ca-n loe appliedfto wheels ofordinary construction having a hub A with spokes fa, and, L.as shown, withfa'hub .extension a on the in- .aller end, andthewheel vis attached to an Aaxle B in .any usual and well-.known manner, the aX-le preferably being square in cross-section, butfcan be ofother shape.

The annular 0.,;of meta-Lhason itsperiphery or circumference .teethc, V`of ra ratchet former shape inthe arr;a-ngelinent shown, .and this has ears ,or'plates'wOQ A.by means Iof which and clips 'or stirrups c" the annular rim is ,attached to the spokes 'a -of the wheel, fas shownin Fig. l, and', as shown, finwardily'extending from the 'annular .C `are V'.rnojecfl OC tions or studs c2, which encircle the hub eX- tension c and furnish a guide for correctly attaching the annular rim to the wheel.

A wheel or disk D, having on its periphery ratchet-shaped teeth d corresponding in shape to the teeth of the annular rim, is attached to a cross rod or shaft by means of a hub d, having a cross-slot d2, through which and the end of the cross rod or shaft a pin d passes, fixedly mounting the wheel or disk on the cross rod or shaft. A segment or wing E, having an eccentric periphery provided with ratchet-teeth e, corresponding in shape to the teeth on the annular rim, is loosely mounted on the lcross rod or shaft, with its face in bearing contact with the face of the wheel or disk D, so that the revolving of the wheel or disk D will by the frictional engagement between the wheel or disk and the segment or wing revolve the segment or wing. The cross rod or shaft F is of the proper diameter in cross-section to resist torsion and strain in use, and this rod or shaft has the wheel or disk D fixedly connected therewith and the segment or wing E loosely mounted thereon. A cap G is loosely mounted on the cross rod or shaft F, and has an annular groove g therein, furnishing a hub or center g, which abuts against the hub or center e ofthe segment or wing when the parts are assembled as shown in Fig. l, and

in the recess or channelg of the cap-G is located a coil-spring g2, which encircles the hubs g and e and furnishes the necessary force to hold the segment or wing E in frictional engagement with thelwheel or disk D for the revolving of the wheel or disk to turn the segment or wing. The cap or collar G is held against end movement in one direction by a pin j'passing through the cross rod or shaft F, and against which the end face of the cap or collar abuts, so that the spring g2 can act and maintain the proper frictional engagement between the wheel or disk and the segment or wing.

A bracket H, having at its upper end a plate orear h, is attached to the axle B by a stirrup or clip Z ,so as to have a fixed and permanent relation. bracket H has a fork h', between which is mounted a movable arm, constituting one of the supports for the cross shaft or rod. This arm I has a curved portion 'i and a straight portion t', and in one form of arrangement, that shown 1n Fig. 2, the curved portion t has a downward projection, while in thearv ed between the fork 71/ of the bracket 7L by a pin or pivot 71,2, passing through the fork and The lower end of thev the head or bearing i2 of the arm, and the pin or pivot is held in place against unlimited end movement by cross-pins 7i, passing through the pin or pivot at cach end thereof, as shown in Figs. l, 2, and 3. The arm I in the arrangement of Fig. 2 is pivotally mounted on the cross rod or shaft F, which passes through the bearing or head t, and is held against side play or movement on the shaft by pins 7a4, passing through the cross rod or shaft adjacent to the bearing or head i3 of the arm. The arm I in the arrangement of Fig. 2 swings from the pivotal connection to the bracket H, so that the wheel or disk D and the eccentric segment or wing E can be raised and lowered, as required for use. The arrangement shown in Fig. 3 has the arm I pivotally mounted in the fork 71. of the bracket H by means of the pin or pivot 7a2, which passes through the fork 7L and through the bearing or head t of the arm, and in this arrangement the cross shaft or rod F is mounted in the bearing or head t2 of the arm I and is held against lateral or end play by the cross-pins 7a4, passing through the rod or shaft adjacent to the bearing or head i2 of the arm, the pin or pivot 7L2 being held against unlimited end play by crosspins h3, as in the construction shown in Fig. 2. The arm I is reversible and can be made to have an upward proj ection or a downward projection by simply changing its point of pivot to the bracket H, the same pivot or pin h2 servin T in either position of the arm.

A brac iet J, having at its upper end a plate `or ear j, is attached to the axleV B by stirrups `or clips b, so as to have a fixed relation on the aXle, and this bracket has a side plate j with a bearing or head y, through which the cross shaft or rod F passes with suHicient play to allow of the rising-andfalling move* ment at the end of the shaft or rod carrying the wheel or diskD and the segment orwing E for the engagement of the wheel or disk and the segment or wing with the annular rim attached to the spokes of the wheel. The shaft or rod F has thereon a collarfl, which abuts against the end of the bearing or box and is locked to the shaft by a set-screwf3 and holds the shaft or rod against end movement in one direction. It will be seen that the shaft or rod is mounted or supported by the bracket J, the bracket H, and the arm I, so that it is free to rise and fall at the end, having thereon. the disk or wheel D and the segment or wing E and allow the disk or wheel and the seg mentto be dropped out of engagement with the annular rim or to be raised into engagement with the annular rim and when engaged have the rotation of the annular rim revolve the rod or shaft F in its bearings,

A drum K, preferably made of wood, is mounted on the shaft or rod F, and this drum has one section or portion 7c with a solid body having a hole for the passage of the shaft or IOO Y normal position automatically..

having a hub m, abuts `against the end of the drum K, and this plate is fixedly attached to i rod'a'nd has another portion 7c with a cham# ber K therein. A coil-spring L is located in the chamber K ofthe drum, and one end l of this spring is liXedly attached to the solid section or portion k ofthe drum, while the other i end l of the spring engages witha catch j* f on a rim 7'3 .of the plate j, so that with the turning of the shaft and the drum in a wind- 1 ing direction thespring will be laced under a tension sufficient to act with -t e release of the winding power and return the drum to A plate M,

the shaft or rod F by a set-screw m, passing through the hub m thereof. The plate M has the diameter of the drum K, sothat the rod N can be inserted in the proper hole m2 for the Idiameter vof the drum K, so that the rod N can be inserted in a groove of the-.drum and be held in vsuch groove, and the other end of 1 the rod is turned to form Ya projection n,

which enters ahole afin the drum, and when `entered a band a2 is slippedover the end of z the-rod, firmly securing thel rod N in position .on the ldrum between the plate M and thev band n2, so that with the .revolving of the A sion 0", in which the ring is located and free I to turn or swing Von the rod or bar M and cause the cha-in O to be Wound on and allow 1 .4o the chain O to lbe unwound from the-drum.

shaft or rod F the plate M will berevolved and carry with it the drum. A chain O vis attached in the arrangement shown to a ring 0 on the rod or bar N, and, as shown, the.

drum is cut away to form a recess or depres- The chain is to be attached to the reins or to allow the reins or strap to slack.

A rod P, having a turned lend p to form a stop, is connected with the arm I, and, :asshown,the connectionis bymeans of an outer coil-spring Q andan inner coil-spring R, the

' vend g of the spring Q being iiXedly attached to the rod Pand the 'end r of the spring R being likewise fixedly attached to the rod P,

and the end g of the spring yQ is hooked over the arml, yand the `end r of the spring is also hooked over the arm l, so that a yieldable connection is furnished for the draw-rodP;

with the arm I, which will prevent undue strain or sudden vengagement of the ratchetwheels from the injury or breaking of parts.

The rod P in the construction and arrangement shown in Fig. 2`is entered through ra of Fig'. 2'is designed more`particularly`f6r the use of the hitch with a wagon, truck, or other vehicle having a high or raised seat and short boX and in which the front wheels cut under. The rod P in the construction and arrangementl shown in Fig. 3 is entered through a slot p2 in the body of the arm I, so that the rod P extends in approximately a straight line to the driver, and this arrangement of Fig. 3 is .designed more especially for use with express-wagons, trucks ,and other vehicles having along boX lwith the seat not raised.

The operation will be understood from the foregoing description, but briefly is as fol-` lows: When the horse or team is to be hitched, the driver by drawing on the rod P through the connecting-springs Q and R moves the arm I so as to raise the free end of the shaft or rod F into position for the teeth of the disk or wheel D to be in engagement with the teeth of the annular rim C, and with the `gear thus connected any attempt of the horse or team to travel forward'will through the forward rotation of the spokes of the wheel cause the teeth of the annular rim and the teeth of the disk kor wheel by their engagement to revolve the disk or wheel D, and with itxthe rod or shaft F, turning the drum K in the direction to wind the chain lO thereon and ldraw thereins or pull strap taut, at -oncechecking the horse or team by this draw on the reins or strap :and 'causinfr the horse -or team to stop. The revolving of the wheel or disk D carries with it the segment or wing E until .the edge of the segment vor wing strikes the annular rim, as shown in Fig. 4, limiting theturning of the segment or wing in that direction. Y An attempt of the horse or team to back gives a reverse rotation to the annular rim C, and with this reverse rotation the frictional contact between the teeth of the annular rim and the wheel or disk D is sufficient to tween the wheel or Ydisk and the segment or IOO 4give a reverse rotation tothe wheel ordisk, l Vand such reverse rotation of the wheel or 1 disk D through the frictional-engagement bewing Ecarries the wing around until the teeth .on its periphery or edge come into engagement with the teeth of the rim, when the segment or wing will be .turned and with such turning, .owing to the eccentricity of its toothed edge, theshaft or rod F will be forced down, carrying the wheel or disk D lout of engagernent with the annular rim and allowing the spring L to act and reverse the travel-of the drum K, unwinding the kchain, O from the drum and giving a slack rein for the horse or team, which will stop the backingL of the horse' or team. A forward movement of the horse or team will again "bring the annular rim .andthe wheel or 'disk intogengagement and wind the chain `O on the vdrum anddraw the reins taut, as when' thevsegment or Vwing passes from theannular. rim the springsQV andR act and throw the wheel and shaftgear into engagement. It will thus be seen that the movement of the team controls the hitch, as with the forward movement the drum is turned to draw the reins or strap taut and with a backward movement the drum is released to allow the reins or strap to slack, with the result that the control of the hitch is automatic with the forward or backward movement of the horse or team alone after the driver has once set the gear into engagement. The springs Q and R allow of tie necessary yield for the eccentric wing or segment to force down the shaft or rod F and release the engagement between the annular rim and the wheel or disk D, and the tension of the spring is sufficient to return the rod or shaft into position to engage the wheel or disk D and the annular rim when the eccentric segment or wing passes the point of contact with the annular rim. The hitching device will serve as a safeguard against a runaway, as in case a horse or team starts to run the driver can through the rod P and its yielding connection raise the shaft or rod F and engage the wheel or disk D with the annular rim C, revolving the shaft and turning the drum to draw the reins taut and at once check the horse or team, and in so operating the hitching device the yieldable connection between the lifting-arm and the pull or draw rod will prevent any injurious effects in engaging the wheel or disk of the shaft with the annular rim of the wheel.

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

l. In a horse-hitching device, the combination of a toothed rim attached to the wheelspokes, a toothed wheel adapted to be brought into engagement with the toothed rim, a

A toothed eccentric segment adjacent to and in Y frictional engagement with the toothed wheel and adapted to be brought into engagement with the toothed rim, a rising-and-falling shaft carrying the toothed wheel and the toothed segment, and a drum mounted on the shaft, substantially as described.

2. In a horse-hitching device, the combination of a toothed rim attached to the wheelspokes, a toothed wheel adapted to be brought into engagement with the toothed rim, a

toothed eccentric segment adjacent to and in frictional engagement with the toothed Wheel l and adapted to be brought into engagement with the toothed rim, a risingeand-falling shaft carrying the toothed wheel and the toothed segment, a bracket attached to the axle, an arm pivotally mounted in the bracket and supporting the shaft, a second bracket attached to the axle and through which the shaft passes, and a drum mounted on the shaft, substantially as described.

3. In a horse-hitching device, the combination of a toothed rim attached to the wheelspokes, a toothed wheel adapted to bebrought into engagement with the toothed rim, a toothed eccentric segment adjacent to and in frictional engagement with the toothed wheel and adapted to be brought into engagement with the toothed rim, a rising-and-falling shaft carrying the toothed wheel and the toothed segment, a bracket attached to the axle, an arm pivotally mounted in the bracket and supporting the shaft, a second bracket attached to the axle and through which the shaft passes, a drum mounted on the shaft, a spring within the drum and connected at one end to the drum and at the other end to a fixed point for returning the drum to normal position, substantially as described.

4. In a horse-hitching device, the combination of a toothed rim attached to the wheelspokes, a toothed wheel adapted to be brought into engagement with the toothed rim, a toothed eccentric segment adjacent to and in frictional engagement with the toothed wheel and adapted to be brought into engagement with the toothed rim, a rising-and-falling shaft carrying the toothed wheel and the toothed segment, a bracket attached to the axle, an arm pivotally mounted in the bracket and supporting the shaft, a second bracket attached to the axle and through which the shaft passes, a drum mounted on the shaft, a pull-rod for the pivotally-mounted arm, and a spring connection between the pull-rod and the arm, substantially as described.

5. In a horse-hitching device, the combination of a shaft having a rising-and-falling movement, driving means on the shaft adapted to be driven from the vehicle-wheels, an arm pivotally mounted and supporting the shaft, a winding-drum on the shaft, a pullrod for the pivotally-mounted arm, and a yieldable connection between the pull-rod and the arm, substantially as described.

6. In a horse-hitching device, the combination of a toothed rim attached to the wheelspokes, a toothed wheel adapted to be brought into engagement with the toothed rim, a toothed eccentric segment adjacent to and in frictional engagement with the toothed wheel and adapted to be brought into engagement with the toothed rim, a rising-and-falling shaft carrying the toothed wheel and the toothed segment, a drum mounted on the shaft, and a flexible connection attached to the drum and winding on and unwinding from the drum and adapted for attachment to the reins, substantially as described.

7. In a horsehitching device, the combination of a toothed driver attached direct to the spokes of a wheel, a shaft sus )ended from the axle and having a rising-and- Aalling movement at one end, a toothed eccentric segment attached to the rising-and-falling end of the shaft for engagement with the toothed d river, a drum mounted on the shaft and a spring TOO ITO

'Within the drum for reversing the revolution ofthe drum, substantially as described.

`8. In abrirse-bitching device, the combination'of a toothed driver attached direct to the spokes of a Wheel, a shaft suspended from the aXle by a reversible bracket and arm and having a rising-and-falling movement at one Kend, a toothed Wheel on the rising-and-falling end ofthe shafta toothed eccentric segment on the rising-and-falling end of the shaft, a eollar on the shaft, a spring carried by the collar and holding the eccentric segment in frictional engagement With the toothed Wheel, a

Winding-drum mounted on the shaft, and a spring Within the Winding-drum, substantially as described.

9. In a horse-bitching device, the combination of a driver, a shaft suspended from the axle and having a rising-and-falling move- JOHN B. PLATO.

' Witnesses: v,

OSCAR W. BOND, `WM. P. BOND. 

